Quasi Modo, a 10-year-old pit bull-Dutch shepherd mix, used her unique look to beat myriad contenders and win the 27th annual World’s Ugliest Dog contest Friday at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds and Event Center in Petaluma, California.
According to the Associated Press (via Yahoo), the new champion suffers from a spinal defect that makes her appear to be hunchbacked. On the heels of Quasi Modo’s victory, she and her Loxahatchee, Florida, native owner will take home $1,500.
TheJournal.ie provided an up-close look of Quasi Modo’s winning moment:
Congratulations to Quasi Modo who was crowned this year's World's Ugliest Dog http://t.co/uOobBAIV2o http://t.co/FhBSIkOeZ2
Also, KRON 4 News captured a photo of the uncommon canine and her owner receiving a massive trophy:
The world’s ugliest dog has been crowned at the Sonoma-Marin Fair — Quasi Modo! http://t.co/aMds36qIY1 http://t.co/NE600cID6y
And 570 News in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, tweeted out some action shots of the reigning World’s Ugliest Dog as well:
Here she is! Quasi Modo is the winner of this year's #WorldsUgliestDog contest. #QuasiKillingIt http://t.co/lZn0DhalPF
Per the World’s Ugliest Dog contest’s website, Quasi Modo defeated Sweepee and Frodo to take the crown. Pet photographer Kari Stackhouse offered a glimpse at Sweepee, who was the first runner-up:
Shootin ugly dogs at the #worldsugliestdogcontest woo hoo! Here's Sweepee Rambo! @SonomaMarinFair http://t.co/Q0wle04ipf
While Quasi Modo undoubtedly has a different look than most dogs due to her short torso, she is living proof that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
According to the competition’s official website, that is precisely the type of message the World’s Ugliest Dog contest is attempting to spread.
“We aren’t interested in lineage, it’s the inner beauty and personality that shine in our World’s Ugliest Dog contest,” Sonoma-Marin Fair marketing director Karen Spencer said.
Quasi Modo’s bio stresses the importance of looking past the exterior and loving dogs for who they are:
I love to meet new people and teach them about diversity. I have become a great ambassador for teaching people about acceptance and tolerance for things that are different. You should never judge a book by its cover! Just because an animal or person looks different doesn’t mean they’re any less deserving of love. It’s OK to be different.
Sheri Lynch of the Bob and Sheri radio show is among those who embraced Quasi Modo following the competition and had nothing but positive things to say about her:
“@kristinb_rnmom: Here's the ugliest dog…Quasimodo with @sherilynch and Bob 💜 http://t.co/KhoLbM7toq” She's darling
Per the event’s website, Quasi Modo will now be part of a media tour culminating in a makeover on Jimmy Kimmel Live in Los Angeles.
There is no question that Quasi Modo is deserving of the preferential treatment she is about to receive, but if the World’s Ugliest Dog contest teaches anything, it is that she and the other entrants are perfect just the way they are.
Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.
